Lupino "Nipper" Lane, a renowned English actor, achieved remarkable success in Hollywood during the 1920s, making him one of the few English actors to do so. As a descendant of the celebrated clown Grimaldi, who is said to have pioneered the use of concealed trap doors for comedic effect, Lupino continued this tradition with his extensive stage experience garnered from his time in England.
Notably, Lupino possessed a unique physical attribute - he was double-jointed, enabling him to twist his arms, legs, and body into astonishing positions. This remarkable acrobatic ability captivated filmgoers and became a defining characteristic of his performances.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Lupino never developed a consistent on-screen persona, instead focusing on his comedy routines and delighting in dressing up for his roles. His filmography primarily consisted of productions made at the Educational Studios in Hollywood, unfortunately, many of which were lost forever after being sold for scrap value.
By the time "talkies" emerged, Lupino had amassed an impressive filmography of over 40 titles, but he struggled to adapt to the new technology. Consequently, he redirected his attention to his first love, the theatre, and went on to enjoy a successful career that spanned many years.
When Lupino passed away, none of his obituaries mentioned his film work, which included notable titles such as "Sword Points," loosely based on the Three Musketeers, "Summer Saps," "Naughty Boy" (co-starring his brother Wallace),and "Maid in Morocco."
